Egyptian Competition Authority sounds alarm over monopolistic tendencies in automotive industry
The competition oversight body in Egypt, The Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) is raising concerns over unhealthy monopolistic practices in the automotive industry which it says has led to a dramatic spike in prices of several models and categories of cars.
Already, the body is conducting investigations with a view to detecting restrictions and different forms of monopolization practiced by traders in the automotive market. The study aims to uncover practices that result in limiting the freedom of competition in one of the most vital sectors for Egyptian consumers, according to a press release by ECA. A report of the study is expected be issued once approved by the authority’s board of directors.
Head of ECA, Mona El-Garf, said that the authority’s framework is based on two main aspects: enforcing the law through challenging such practices, and raising awareness of possible obstacles facing workers in the market. She stressed the importance of support from citizens and workers in the auto market to report violations.
Omar Balbaa, head of the Automotives Division in the Giza Chamber of Commerce, told Daily News Egypt that ECA had met with the automotives divisions in other chambers of commerce to look into mechanisms of preventing monopolistic practices by auto traders. He added that the market has called upon ECA to stand against such practices that, together with the lack of foreign currency and high import costs, have contributed to the scarcity of car sales.
Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) chairperson Atef Yacoub on the other side, said that the large number of complaints made by consumers to the agency shows that traders mislead them and are selling cars for higher prices.
A company working in automotive trade was referred to the Egyptian Tax Authority for tax evasion after selling a car for EGP 160,000 while the real valued price was EGP 105,000, according to Yacoub. “If this was proved to be true, the company will be immediately referred to public prosecution,” he added.
Other companies were also referred to the Tax Authority for similar charges, including Auto Samir, El-Masria Auto, B Auto, and National Motors.
During the first seven months of 2016, the auto market managed to sell 84,400 passenger car units. A noticeable decline took place between the sales of different brands, including Korean brands. Despite topping the auto market, sales of Korean brands have declined by 17.3 per cent year-on-year. A decline in the sales also took place for Japanese brands by 24.3 per cent, American brands by 19.9 per cent, and Chinese brands by 39.6 per cent.
At the bottom of the sales list, the Malaysian brand Proton has sold 158 cars worth $3 million, and stopped declaring its sales to the Automotive Marketing Information Council (AMIC) in 2016.
